It's March 1st, the first day of spring according to the meteorological calendar, and once upon a time (prior to 45 BCE), it was the first day of the year.

But call it what you want, if nocturnal animals like flying squirrels are wandering around in the middle of the day trying to find something to eat ... there are a lot of other hungry beasties out there.

Phenologist Larry Weber wraps up the fall season (September was warmer than usual, but October and November were colder) and embraces winter with open arms. Even the coming cold and dark make a perfect backdrop, he says, for the Geminid meteor showers we'll get to enjoy in a couple of weeks.

KUMD is licensed to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota